Maranello-based great car giant Ferrari officially introduced Luce, the first fully electric mass production model in its history. This futuristic RESIDENCE, developed in collaboration with Apple’s legendary former design chief Sir Jony Ive (LoveFrom) and Ferrari Chief Designer Flavio Manzoni, has already sparked a huge debate in the automotive world.

The vehicle, which has the performance of a thoroughbred Ferrari with its 1050 horsepower, has divided the brand’s loyal fans and former managers into two with its radical lines. The Ferrari Luce design, which shook the internet world, aims to radically change the perception of luxury cars.

Flavio Manzoni: “Nostalgia is the Refuge of Cowards”

Chief Designer Flavio Manzoni, who has completely changed Ferrari’s visual language, takes a very clear stance against criticism. Deviating completely from the muscular and aggressive lines of classic Ferrari models, the new Ferrari Luce design resembles a smooth glass bell shaped in a wind tunnel, compared to Manzoni.

Manzoni states that electric platforms offer designers tremendous freedom and that he will not waste it on imitating the past. Arguing that nostalgia is a lazy way, the famous designer emphasizes that real innovation comes from taking risks and building the future. Described as a “sculpted monolith” stripped of visual noise, this new ideology challenges the trend of complex and angry lines in the automotive segment with quiet elegance.

Harsh Reactions from Former Ferrari Designers and Executives

However, Manzoni’s revolutionary vision was not welcomed warmly by the old names who built the Ferrari legend. The Ferrari Luce design, which is at the center of the discussions, was deemed unaesthetic by the legendary leader Luca di Montezemolo, who managed the golden age of the brand from the 90s to 2014. Montezemolo was harsh, saying, “We are destroying a legend with our own hands, I hope they remove that prancing horse logo from the car.”

A similar criticism came from former chief designer Frank Stephenson, who created iconic models such as the Ferrari F430 and FXX. Stephenson harshly criticized the design, arguing that the Jony Ive shape and minimalist touches killed Ferrari’s predatory spirit, that the rims looked dire, and that the vehicle resembled a toy when viewed from the rear.

Is the Ferrari Luce Design a Real Revolution or an Apple Work That Has Lost Its Soul?

As a result, the new Ferrari Luce design has brought the automotive world to a sharper crossroads than ever before. Flavio Manzoni and his group market the vehicle as a smooth glass bell shaped in a wind tunnel and an aerodynamic masterpiece.

However, technical data shows the other side of the coin: Luce’s drag coefficient lags behind even the veteran Tesla Model S Plaid, which is many times cheaper. This situation brings to mind the question of whether the design presented as an “engineering marvel” is actually aerodynamically unsuccessful.

How real is it to sacrifice the thoroughbred spirit of the prancing horse and the Italian aesthetics to the cold ideology of Apple, which has worse aerodynamics than Tesla but is much more valuable than it? So, do you think this radical Ferrari Luce design is the new pinnacle of Italian luxury or an overpriced flop? Is Flavio Manzoni building the future or destroying a legendary legacy? Let’s meet in the comments.